“It isn’t the changes that do you in, it’s the transitions. Change is situational – the new site, the new boss, the new role. Transition is the psychological process people go through to come to terms with the new situation. Change is external, transition is internal.” William Bridges

If you’re facing a transition in your life, here are some tips to help you with your reinvention:

Be inspired and trust the process. Allow a sense of wonder and divine timing to enter your life. Remember all of the times when you’ve heard someone say, “That was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Don’t be afraid to learn new things. If you’re behind in learning how to use current technologies as an example, take a class or ask a friend for help. Start with a beginner’s mind. Embrace the idea of starting from scratch. Most people have to learn new things all the time; it’s just a fact of life.

Take responsibility for yourself. Life is an adventure. Embrace your role in the creation of your new self.

Set up a daily schedule to give you structure. Having a schedule provides a sense of stability.

Maintain your sense of humor. Remember to laugh often and to be able to laugh at yourself.

Ease up on your perfectionism. You need to start somewhere, and you may not be very good at it in the beginning. Believe in your ability to learn and grasp new concepts.

Examine your finances. Cut back where you need to and give yourself the gift of time to try out your new role without the financial pressure. Now may be the time to sell an extra car or drop a club membership.

Remember your core values and stay true to your personal brand. You may feel less sure of yourself during transition, so believe in yourself and live your values.

Seek help from a counselor or coach to support you in your changing identity. This is a good time to get the support that you need to help you get clarity on your path.

]]>http://susanchritton.com/573/feed/0The Heart of Your Personal Brandhttp://susanchritton.com/the-heart-of-your-personal-brand/
http://susanchritton.com/the-heart-of-your-personal-brand/#respondMon, 02 Feb 2015 20:43:59 +0000http://susanchritton.com/?p=555It is February – the month of love. Love is actually the most important ingredient of your personal brand. Self-love that is, which means self-acceptance. You need to be able to look closely at yourself and be willing to grow and change so that you can align who you are on the inside with who you are on the outside.

As you get clarity about who you are, you’ll be able to demonstrate your authenticity, knowing that you’re coming from a place of strength rather than trying to practice the chameleon life. This clarity helps you live more consistently, which is vital to living a successful life.

If figuring out who you really are seems a bit overwhelming, know you that it doesn’t have to be. You already have an inner voice that can guide you toward your true identity. It’s the voice that tells you “Yes, go for it” or “Stop, this is a big mistake.” Your own best answers are there if you pause to listen to that wise inner voice.

It is freeing to let your guard down and open up to the authentic you, the one where your true strengths, talent, and personality lie. As you start to pay attention to what your personal brand is, you may want to pay more attention to your inner voice so that you can notice the choices that you make and move forward in a purposeful way.

Being able to identify what matters to you might sound obvious, but most people don’t think very much about it. Many of us go about our daily lives making split-second choices (often subconsciously) rather than trying to make decisions based on whether it aligns with what is important. Developing a personal brand requires being more aware of yourself and your choices.

Practice self-love this month. It is the heart of your personal brand and invites you to become everything that you’re capable of becoming.

]]>http://susanchritton.com/the-heart-of-your-personal-brand/feed/0Crafting Your Personal Commercialhttp://susanchritton.com/crafting-your-personal-commercial/
http://susanchritton.com/crafting-your-personal-commercial/#respondWed, 26 Mar 2014 19:09:54 +0000http://susanchritton.com/?p=467Regardless of what you call your introduction – the elevator pitch, the 30-second commercial, or the personal commercial, you need to be able to describe (quickly!) who you are, what you do, and the elements of your personal brand.

At its best, your personal commercial sparks the interest of the listener. You say something interesting to get that person’s attention and ask for more information. The personal commercial is one of the most critical pieces of your communication toolbox because you use it to develop other tools.

The personal commercial is one of the hardest pieces of the branding process for people to feel comfortable with. It seems to contradict all the messages you hear about not bragging or tooting your own horn. Discovering how to introduce yourself the right way, though, can boost your self-esteem.

Here are some tips on how to introduce yourself effectively. Paula Asinof and Mina Brown wrote a book called Be Sharp (BookSurge Publishing) that brilliantly laid out a personal commercial in three key steps:

1. Make your first impression. What is your essence factor, the core of who you are? “I know I am in my element when __________.”

Your essence factor describes the essential qualities you exhibit as a professional. Write three or four words that describe your essential qualities as a professional. Add an adjective that describes a dynamic quality about you. Describing your professional self this way sets the stage for a great first impression.

2. Be in the know. What is your guru factor, the knowledge that you hold and skills that you possess? “People recognize my expertise in _________.”

Your guru factor identifies your knowledge and expertise. To find your guru factor, list your special areas of knowledge. Choose one or two areas of expertise that are relevant to your goals. If you struggle with this step, try finishing the statement “People recognize my expertise in . . . .” The guru factor is about what you know, not just what you do.

3. Identify your best stuff. What is your superstar factor, the qualities that set you apart? “People comment on my ability to ___________.”

Your superstar factor is what makes you special in how you get things done. It can describe your personal qualities, professional characteristics, or your style in how you apply those qualities to your work life. To find your star factor, list the qualities and attributes that set you apart from your peers. The star factor includes words that describe you, such as “I’m known for . . . ,” “I’m recognized for . . ., or “Others describe me as . . . .”

When you’ve taken all three steps, put them together to create your personal commercial.

Okay… so you’re like me—an everyday kind of gal—and wonder how in the world a personal brand could make a difference in your life. Well, according to Susan Chritton, a Master Personal Brand Strategist and the author of Personal Branding for Dummies, consciously creating a brand for yourself will enhance your relationships, build your self-esteem, and help you reinvent yourself in ways that are meaningful to you.

Whether you’re looking for a job, wanting to build a bigger presence at work, or hope to contribute to your community through volunteer opportunities, developing a personal brand will help you distinguish yourself as a person of substance. Moreover, as you change and evolve at midlife, your personal brand becomes even more important. Women especially strive to become more authentic and connect deeply with our innate wisdom and gifts as we age, and a personal brand will help us share our talents in ways that are meaningful to us.

Therefore, if you’re hoping to get more out of your life at this transformative time, I invite you to take a look at this short, 15-minute video. It’s the second in my broadcast series for the WHOA! (Women Honoring Our Age) Network and Susan’s ideas will have you thinking of yourself and your brand from a fresh perspective.

After all, we’ve spent years catering to the needs of others and now is the time to concentrate on our selves. So, take a look, connect with your special gifts, and brand yourself for success… it’s the FEISTY thing to do!

]]>http://susanchritton.com/why-your-personal-brand-is-so-important-whoa-network/feed/0Personal Branding during the Middle Yearshttp://susanchritton.com/personal-branding-during-the-middle-years/
http://susanchritton.com/personal-branding-during-the-middle-years/#respondFri, 01 Mar 2013 01:30:58 +0000http://susanchritton.com/?p=417During the middle phase of your career, it’s important to re-examine your brand on occasion and look at what you need to do to spice it up a bit. Don’t let your brand get stagnant or else you may soon be forgotten. Keep it fresh and keep it evolving!

Personal branding done well requires an implemented strategy, especially at mid-life. It keeps your career current and exciting at a time when many others are happily hanging out in routine. Setting a strategy to continue to grow in your career and continually evolve your personal brand takes courage, insight, and vision.

Begin by observing yourself in your current position. Your personal brand is based on your authentic self so don’t be afraid to let your differences begin to show as long as those differences are appropriate for your situation.

In our world today it is likely that you will need or want to reinvent yourself professionally. Your personal brand can support your reinvention by reminding you that at your core you are still you and need to be your authentic self. Your reinvented self may be wearing a new outfit, but in all that you do, no matter what you call yourself, you are still you. Your personal brand helps you identify those core pieces of yourself that you want to express and use in the world.

Reinventing yourself means you are ready to take responsibility for your life and work. Life is an adventure and as scary as it is, embrace your role in the creation of your new self. Don’t be afraid to learn new things. In order to build your confidence, you first need to shift your mindset. Start out expecting great things for yourself and having faith that the changes you are making will turn out well. Transform your negative thoughts into the positive actions that will help you move to where you want to be.

Here’s the great news: Studies show that most workers who change careers at older ages say they enjoy the new job more than the old job. So look at this time of change as a new opportunity to follow the dream you’ve always wanted to achieve. Ask yourself how can you combine your wealth of experience, knowledge, and personality to deliver something that the younger workforce can’t. Brand yourself to stand out, regardless of your age.

]]>http://susanchritton.com/personal-branding-during-the-middle-years/feed/0Ten Ways to Sink Your Brandhttp://susanchritton.com/ten-ways-to-sink-your-brand/
http://susanchritton.com/ten-ways-to-sink-your-brand/#respondThu, 06 Sep 2012 23:40:31 +0000http://susanchritton.com/?p=399Here is a recent video that I did for a Vlogathon where I discuss some of the basic ways that you can sink you brand.

You can spend years building your reputation, so remember to protect your brand by taking the time to notice these important behaviors.

Are you ready to be cast in the workplace as you would be cast in a Hollywood movie? A huge workforce trend is the movement toward a gig economy, one that resembles how the movie industry works. Think about how a film is made:

1. Someone wants to make the movie and finds the money to fund it.

2. The key players are secured: the director, producer, and lead actors.

3. Everyone else is hired, each person bringing special skills to the set.

4. The whole crew works on the movie for as long as it takes to complete the project.

5. All the people hired for the movie say their goodbyes and move on to look for their next gig.

Many workplaces now function this way, and many more workplaces will do so in the future. As a result, workers need to be agile and able to clearly communicate what they can do and who they are.

Having a strong personal brand will serve you well in the gig economy. Instead of hoping that someone notices you and offers you steady, long-term employment, you must be prepared to take your personal brand on the road and leverage your skills. Chances are, you may not be an employee in the future; you may be a free agent.

The workplace has become project-oriented. More and more work is being organized into smaller segments that are facilitated by project teams. Projects are a great way to grow your brand because they have a beginning and an end, have specific deliverables, and often have measurable results.

Start thinking now about how you can take on more project work, and you’ll be taking a crucial step toward becoming more employable. Toward this end, stop thinking like an employee and start thinking of yourself as a company of one offering your clients the best service that you can provide.

Consider an example of how a project gig might work: You join a project team and work on a project for two years. That project ends, and you take what you have learned and join former coworkers at a start-up business. You work really hard to build the company, and it’s sold to a larger company. You leave and go to work for a competitor where you settle in for three or four years. That company merges with another business, and you leave to set up your own consulting firm. This type of transition goes on until you work fewer and fewer hours — not necessarily retiring, but at least modifying your work to fit your older lifestyle.

]]>http://susanchritton.com/personal-branding-and-the-hollywood-gig-model/feed/0Managing Personal Changehttp://susanchritton.com/managing-personal-change/
http://susanchritton.com/managing-personal-change/#respondSun, 13 May 2012 20:48:59 +0000http://susanchritton.com/?p=272Having colleagues and friends for support makes managing change so much easier. Last March I received a call from Wiley Publishing asking me if I would be interested in writing Personal Branding for Dummies. I consider myself an expert in the field but had only written articles, never a book. While working with clients in my role as a Career and Personal Branding Strategist Coach, I had mastered guiding people through the process of change. Now it was my turn to go through a huge change – becoming an author. Writing a book was a completely different experience and put me in much the same position as my clients – having to adapt to a new role and a new way of working.

One of the first things I did during this time of change was to pause and think about what knowledge and techniques I used to guide my clients through career and identity changes. I then began to write my ideas in the “Dummies” style, with easy to understand language in a how-to book that smart people could use to develop their own personal brands. I wanted to be true to my own brand of creating community and putting people at ease as they read the book, so I gathered some of my favorite personal branding experts and asked them to contribute their specialized expertise. The book takes the reader through a step by step personal branding process. It is filled with exercises and practical examples of how others have been successful in uniquely building their personal brands.

I’m very proud of Personal Branding for Dummies as it hits the shelves at the first of June. It is an easy to use, practical guide that can support just about everyone in his or her career.

]]>http://susanchritton.com/managing-personal-change/feed/0Identifying the sweet spot in which you want to competehttp://susanchritton.com/identifying-the-sweet-spot-in-which-you-want-to-compete/
http://susanchritton.com/identifying-the-sweet-spot-in-which-you-want-to-compete/#respondSun, 29 Apr 2012 23:00:22 +0000http://susanchritton.com/?p=256There is an intersection where what you have to offer, whom you want to work with, the markets that you serve, and the ideas that you have to share all come together. That point is called your market niche or your sweet spot, and it is uniquely yours. When you have found your sweet spot, you have found the niche that you want to use in developing your personal brand.

I have a friend who is a corporate trainer. He found his sweet spot in working with emerging leaders in an internationally diverse company. He claims his sweet spot is training these leaders in leadership development and helping them grow to be better managers. He likes to work with mid-level professionals who are eager to improve in their careers in a global environment.

Finding your sweet spot allows you to stay true to yourself, and it should give you direction to form a strategy for developing your niche. This concept applies whether you’re an entrepreneur or working in a company. (Your sweet spot in the workplace becomes something that you are uniquely known for.)

]]>http://susanchritton.com/identifying-the-sweet-spot-in-which-you-want-to-compete/feed/0Shedding others’ ideas and expectationshttp://susanchritton.com/shedding-others-ideas-and-expectations/
http://susanchritton.com/shedding-others-ideas-and-expectations/#respondWed, 21 Mar 2012 23:15:36 +0000http://susanchritton.com/?p=241Becoming an authentic human being means that you accept yourself for who you are. Everyone has different approaches to life, likes and dislikes, and skills and talents.

Most likely, when you were in junior high, standing out was deadly. At that age, nothing is more important than fitting in. But fitting in can carry you only so far. At some point, if you truly want to succeed and shine, you have to figure out how to differentiate yourself from the crowd.

I’m not saying that you need to stop caring about what other people think or to stop listening to what your loved ones think is good for you. Instead, in this book I ask you to make an honest assessment of what you want and who you are. You can’t build a personal brand based on someone else’s ideals. If you did, you’d be a fake.

Taking an honest assessment about who you are and what you want means looking at what you do well and owning it, as well as knowing what you don’t do well and recognizing those limitations. You definitely should seek input from others during this process. However, you can’t let them determine who you will be. Personal branding is about you being you in the most authentic way.